We started our journey this week in a habitat known as desert steppe. Today, in practically an afternoon, we made a dramatic transition to temperate rain forest. The Cascade Range is the dividing line for these two staggeringly different environs. The peaks of Mount Hood and Mount Adams stood as bookends to our western gateway.
We lingered a bit in this transitional zone and took in the delights of the fall harvests. Nestled in the rolling hills of Hood River are multiple fruit and farm stands. We wandered amongst the dahlia fields, munched on tasty apple and pear samples, and drank the sweet pear and snappy apple ciders at the Draper Girls’ Farm. Bleating pygmy goats were adorable additions to the farm scene.
Another option was the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. We went there and found what seemed like acres of vintage airplanes, motorcycles, and automobiles. Most were restored to pristine condition and were entirely operable, the planes can fly and the cars can be driven away. It was a building filled with nostalgia as our guests wandered the exhibits and reminisced on cars of their youth.
The afternoon was for the adventurous and hardy as a light rain started to fall upon reaching Cascade Locks. This was our jumping off point to visit the dramatic Multnomah Falls. Splashes of fall color from big leaf maple were the perfect punctuation points to counter the staggering view of the 620 foot falls.
Upon return to National Geographic Sea Bird we cast off lines, passed under the Bridge of the Gods, and prepared to lock through Bonneville. This was the eighth and last lock passage of our voyage and as we emerged from the downstream gates, Beacon rock stood as sentinel downstream and the echoes of “Roll on Columbia” continued to reverberate across the gorge.
